Aristotle was not only studied as a philosopher and scientist in medieval Iran. The great 12th-century epic poet Nizami Ganjavi (pictured below), who was originally from Azerbaijan, made him a significant character as Alexander’s mentor in his 10,500-distich Persian-language poem The Romance of Alexander the Great. In this colourfully illuminated manuscript by the scribe Yadkar al-Katib, a turbanned Aristotle is depicted teaching his students; the frame includes references to his interests in heavenly bodies and plants.